Roses from my sister Kathy, one for each year our mother has been gone.

I know that you don’t usually think of adults as orphans, but the day my mother died that was one of my first thoughts. I am officially an orphan. Though I have siblings and other relatives, I no longer have parents. She died three years ago. It was a Monday and my aunt found her. My daughter, Paulina called me because I was at an in-service meeting to learn how to do the Aimsweb program.

Today I am alone, like each of the other two anniversaries of her death. The first year, I left Linton and drove to Herreid and sat in her house just to feel near her. Last year, I don’t remember, but I am sure that I wasn’t in school, and it was a long day. Today I was busy cleaning and getting ready for Jessica to come and visit. She is coming to get Raja. The dog will be happy to see Jessica that I am afraid she might pee herself. At least the floors will be clean for a few hours.

As I cleaned, I cranked up the old stereo with a Melissa Manchester album. I listened to “Better Days and Happy Endings.” It was the same album I used to put on in Jamestown when I would think about my dad being gone. “Better days on our side, we have made it through a long and lonely night…”

One of my Christmas cactus plants has decided to bloom.

As I was cleaning, I decided to move the Christmas cactus that is in bloom to the table in the dinning room. I realize that it wouldn’t have bloomed without being in the south window upstairs, but it seems to be a waste not to display it for everyone to see now that the flowers are opening.

Well, as much as I would like to stay and say more. I have to get that sermon written before the girls get her. Yes, Paulina, I meant you this time, amazing. We always say, “the girls” for Jessica and Victoria then add, and Paulina. She wants to know why she never gets to be one of “the girls.” Well, today you are so get the shopping finished and get home, but don’t read this while you are driving. Maybe if the phones really were smart phone, they wouldn’t operate while their owner is sitting in the driver’s seat. How about that for an invention idea. Take care.

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I just got tears in my eyes reading this and thinking about being an orphan. You are so right–it is possible to be an orphan even after we’ve grown up. I can’t imagine what it will be like to lose both parents. Hoping you can feel this long-distance faraway hug.